Factors leading to Under Utilisation of Intra-Uterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) among Women at Central Clinic in Mansa

Abstract

The Intra-Uterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) is one of the safest and most cost effective contraceptive available in the world. It is more effective than female sterilization, injectable, and implants in pregnancy prevention. Despite this, only (14%) of married women use this device worldwide. In Africa, however, only (1%) of women use the intra-uterine contraceptive device, a rate considered the lowest in the world. This area of practice is much neglected in Africa, as evidenced in the limited publication on the same. Hence, this study examined the factors leading to underutilization of intra-uterine contraceptive devices (IUCDS) among women at Central clinic in Mansa. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. Data was collected from 276 family planning clients using structured questionnaires administered by trained interviewers. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences research version 20.0. The following were the results of the study in terms of knowledge and use; Oral contraceptives 19.2 %, Injectable (45.7 %,) Implants (24.6%) IUCDs stood at (10.1 %) and condom as a means of family planning method was (0.4%). The myths and misconception established in the study included; the highest (38%) of the respondents cited Cancer as a reason for not choosing the IUCDs, (24%) said it causes infertility and (16%) said it causes abortions while (22%) didn’t know. There is need to empower family planning clients with information regarding the availability, and benefits of intra-uterine contraceptive device in order to increase the utilization of this method. As a result, upcoming researchers who have interest in this topic should extend the research to cover a wider sample size, involve more clinics in Mansa and other Districts and use qualitative and quantitative research approach to have deeper understanding of this topic and establish the relationship that exist between the identified factors and underutilization of IUCDs using Pearson Model of correlation.The future research can be conducted on a large area including many facilities in other districts of Luapula Province.